Can you get unemployment for getting fired in Washington state?

That's a relief to hear. What exactly counts as misconduct? I was always trying my best at work, just had some issues with the new computer system they installed.

Misconduct is stuff like stealing, violence, chronic tardiness after warnings, or willfully violating company policy. Technical difficulties or learning curves aren't misconduct.

How long did the investigation take? I'm worried about waiting weeks without any income.

Mine took about 3 weeks. They call it adjudication - basically they contact your employer and get both sides of the story before deciding.

I did file a complaint with L&I about the safety issues before I got fired. Should I mention that when I file my unemployment claim?

Absolutely mention it. That timeline could be crucial - if they fired you shortly after your safety complaint, it might be retaliation.

This happened to my brother! He got fired a week after reporting unsafe conditions and Washington ESD approved his claim immediately. Document everything!

Is that legitimate? I've never heard of paying someone to help you call a government agency.

Yeah it's real. They basically handle the calling and waiting for you, then connect you when an agent picks up. Saved me hours of frustration.

I was skeptical too but tried it last month when I couldn't get through about my adjudication. Worked perfectly and the agent was able to explain exactly what was holding up my claim.

Chronic tardiness can be misconduct, but it depends on whether you received proper warnings and had a chance to improve. Sounds like they didn't consider yours severe enough.

yeah I only got written up once and then they fired me like a week later so maybe that wasn't enough warnings

Should I mention the safety complaint thing right in the initial application or wait to see if they contact me?

I'd mention it in the initial application. There's usually a section for additional information or comments where you can briefly note the timeline.

My ex-supervisor did say something about contesting it if I applied. That worried me.

That's just them being jerks. Let them contest it - if you did nothing wrong, you'll win the adjudication. Don't let them bully you out of benefits you deserve.

Exactly! My employer contested mine too and I still got approved. Washington ESD looks at the facts, not just what the employer claims.

Good job! Make sure you file your weekly claims even while they're processing your eligibility. You can get backpay if you're approved.

Smart move. Keep documenting everything related to your termination and that safety complaint. You might need those records if it goes to adjudication.

That makes me feel better. I really was trying to learn the system but it was completely different from what we used before.

Exactly. If they didn't provide adequate training time or support, that's on them, not you. Document any training issues you had.

What kind of questions do they usually ask in those interviews?

They'll ask about the circumstances of your termination, what your employer told you, whether you received warnings, and your version of events. Just be honest and factual.

Yes, you need to keep filing weekly claims during adjudication. If you're approved, you can get backpay for those weeks. If you don't file them, you lose those weeks forever.

oh crap I didn't know that. I've been waiting two weeks for them to decide on mine and haven't filed any weekly claims

Yeah, especially for complex situations like potential retaliation firings. Sometimes you really need to talk to a human to explain the full context.

I might look into that if I don't hear back from them soon. Thanks for the recommendation.

I do have the L&I complaint number and some photos I took of the unsafe conditions. Should I send those to Washington ESD proactively?

Hold onto them for now. If they schedule an adjudication interview, that's when you'll want to mention them. Don't overwhelm them with documents upfront.

That's reassuring. I keep second-guessing whether I should have filed or not.

You absolutely did the right thing filing. Even if you weren't sure, it's better to apply and get denied than not apply at all.

This! So many employers think they can just say 'performance' and automatically block unemployment. Doesn't work that way.

Good to know they actually investigate rather than just taking the employer's word for it.

Will they email me or send physical mail? I want to make sure I don't miss anything important.

Check both. They usually send official notices by mail but you might get emails too if you signed up for notifications in your eServices account.

Yeah, it's not as black and white as people think. Each case is different and Washington ESD actually does look at the specific circumstances.

That's why it's so important to apply even if you're not sure. Let them make the decision rather than assuming you don't qualify.

Will do! Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. This forum has been incredibly helpful during a really stressful time.

That's what we're here for. Unemployment situations are tough enough without having to navigate the system alone.

That's a good sign actually! If they were going to deny it outright for obvious misconduct, they probably would have done that already.

Exactly. 'Under review' usually means they're doing their due diligence, not that there's a problem with your claim.

Keep documentation of everything during this period. And don't forget to keep looking for work and logging your job search activities!